Menu

Writing a Public Records Management Manual

If you are responsible for the management of public records in a North Carolina unit of government, you may want to consider writing a manual as a means of educating your colleagues on public records management. A records management manual for North Carolina public records could include:

A copy of North Carolina’s public records law (N.C.G.S. 132), especially the definition of public records and citizens’ right of access to public records (N.C.G.S. 132-1); citizens’ right of inspection and examination (N.C.G.S. 132-6) and copying (N.C.G.S. 132-7); and the responsibility for records management (N.C.G.S. 132-8.1).

If you manage records for a state agency, include information for obtaining supplies (boxes, labels, and tape) and setting up transfers and deliveries with the State Records Center.

The purpose of a records management manual is “to provide a source of instruction and guidance for personnel who are responsible for creating, preparing, processing, storing, and disposing of records,” according to Robek, Brown, and Maedke in their book Information and Records Management.They also say a manual “should specify in detail the scope of the entire records management program of the organization, but also provide instructions for carrying out all aspects of the program.” A records management manual can cover many subjects and take many forms, so decide what your manual will be before you start writing it. The effort will be worth it!

Post navigation

Welcome to the G.S. 132 Files, the official Records Management blog of the State Archives of North Carolina. Explore the blog to find out about news, events, and training opportunities offered by the State Records Center. Located across the street from the Governor’s Mansion in Raleigh, the Records Center serves as the physical, legal, and informational hub of records management in North Carolina.

Privacy Policy

Please note that posts and comments on this website are public records. As a Wordpress.com site, G.S 132 Files is also subject to the Wordpress.com privacy policy.